Mack’s focus: Playing even better
The dominant edge player is all about improving the defense’s problem areas
ALAMEDA >> Khalil Mack had no interest in beating his chest or proclaiming to the masses they were wrong about the supposedly leaky Raiders defense.
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year saw the good and the bad, and has never paid much attention to outside noise anyway, unimpressed by the praise and unaffected by criticism.
Speaking in his usual hushed tones in front of his locker in an exclusive interview, Mack acknowledged the good start as well as the need for a stronger finish.
“You take your experience from the game, knowing that was a hell of an offense, going against (Marcus) Mariota and the O-line they have,” Mack said. “It’s a solid team, especially the running game. You want to make them pass the ball more.
“Even then, they were able to make some good catches and good throws and move the ball. From the defensive side of it, you don’t want to see that too much. You want to get better.”
Indeed, the Titans averaged 5.6 yards per snap, which is too much, but only scored 16 points - and just six in the second half when the Raiders took control of the game.
A big reason was Mack, who graded out as the league’s best edge player by Pro Football Focus with five hurries, a batted pass and three stops for no gain or loss.
Mack even graded out ahead of Calais Campbell, who had four sacks in his debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars. One reason he graded out so high is he faced double and some time triple teams throughout the game and still made an impact.
“Three wasn’t enough. Maybe we’ll try five or six (blockers),” New York Jets coach Todd Bowles said in a conference call with Bay Area media. “He’s All-Pro for a reason. We know how good he is. We’ve just got to try and slow him down enough to try and make some plays.”
Mack was unconcerned about all the extra attention.
“I’m not worried about that part, knowing the guys we have,” Mack said. “I know they’re going to take advantage of their opportunities to make those plays.”
The “guys” to whom Mack refers was a point of concern in the offseason given that the Raiders had struggled a year ago defensively, then instead looked to offense in free agency and trades with the likes of Marshawn Lynch, Jared Cook, Cordarrelle Patterson and Marshall Newhouse.
The only defensive player signed in free agency, linebacker Jelani Jenkins, didn’t make the roster.
Mack didn’t hide the fact that he wondered with defensive teammates such as Bruce Irvin why it seemed so one-sided.
“Of course you think that, but at the same time, we’re all we’ve got and we’re all we need,” Mack said. “That’s the mindset. You got who you’ve got.”
As for all the off-the-field issues swirling around the team - from the move to Las Vegas to Donald Penn’s holdout to Gareon Conley’s injury problems and legal issues - Mack credits the coaching staff with keeping the team within its own protective cocoon.
“They do a great job keeping us prepared and keeping everybody focused on what the task at hand is and that’s going out and winning the game,” Mack said.
While the Raiders will prepare to face the Jets, Mack said the bigger issue is taking what was learned in Week 1 and improving problem areas in Week 2.
“You want to grow from that, knowing the teams we’re going to play down the stretch,” Mack said. “You want to get better every week. That’s what this league is all about.”
CONLEY UPDATE >> The Raiders’ first-round pick Gareon Conley sat out Sunday’s opener against the Titans while still recovering from a shin injury. Oakland hopes to get the cornerback on the field against the Jets, but this week’s progress will determine that. Conley wasn’t limited during the portion of Wednesday’s practice open to the media.
“Hopefully we’ll get a full week out of Conley,” Coach Jack Del Rio said. “We’ll see how that goes.”
Conley was officially listed as limited following practice, as were wide receiver Amari Cooper (knee), linebacker Cory James (knee), defensive end Khalil Mack (not injury related), safety Keith McGill (foot), fullback Jamize Olawale (quad) and cornerback Sean Smith (neck).